Bulls Arrive in South Bend

[Mama_Bull]

Bulls Arrive in South Bend 

Courtesy: USF

           

Release: 09/02/2011

 

BullsVision: Bulls Arrive in South Bend

By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - DeDe Lattimore stood at the 40-yard line and stared at the sun drenched circular sea of empty seats Notre Dame Stadium had to offer Friday afternoon.

"No big screens. No nothing. Just backyard football," the linebacker said with a slight grin on his face.

About an hour after getting off the plane, the Bulls trotted through a tunnel that serves as a portal to a field rich with history.

"You get a special feeling for sure," tight end Evan Landi said.

The brief walkthrough was a time for the Bulls to get acclimated and a time to soak up some of the scenery at an empty place that soon will be rocking with rowdy fans.

"As you look around you know that there is a lot of tradition here," kicker Maikon Bonani said.

"I think it's amazing," Landi added. "You've always heard about Notre Dame's tradition, how many years they've been around. Just to see it in person is really outstanding."

That doesn't mean the Bulls were awestruck about a place that will provide yet another program building experience for USF. A game has to be played and a victory has to be chased, just like at any other field the Bulls have stepped on or will step on in the future.

"I'm not too hyped or over excited for it," quarterback B.J. Daniels said. "I'm just ready for the game."

Notre Dame Stadium is known for its mystique and the Bulls found out not all of it is as true as some people make it out to be.

"I heard the grass was really long. It's shorter than I expected," Bonani said.

The chance to get out to Notre Dame Stadium was indeed a beneficial one for the Bulls, who will be taking the field about 24 hours after the orientation opportunity started.

"You want to get out here, get comfortable and see what type of field you'll be playing on tomorrow," linebacker Sam Barrington said.

The Bulls got a second helping of history just a few miles away. They paid a visit to the College Football Hall of Fame, took a team picture and got a history lesson on the names and faces that are now eternal.

"It's an honor just being here and seeing all these legendary coaches and players," safety JaQuez Jenkins said.

The word "honor" was something head coach Skip Holtz made of point of saying to his team in the midst of its hour-long Hall pass.

"What a special honor it is because there are only a handful of people that have the opportunity to be a part of college football each and every year and you guys are part of that chosen few," Holtz said to his football pupils.

History was mixed with a bit of humor, too.

Safety Jerrell Young took the microphone and jumped in front of the camera to do an episode of "MTV Cribs" Bulls style. He interviewed - and embarrassed - some of his teammates during a video tour and even grabbed some of the media's time with Holtz to fire in a burning question.

"Coach, I hear you have four good safeties. Who is your favorite one?" said Young, who quickly directed the mic to the man in charge.

"Without a doubt it would be No. 1 Jerrell Young.  He's got to be one of my favorites," was Holtz's reply, which drew some laughter from onlookers. "I just think he's not only a great player but he's great young man. He's got a million dollar smile. He's polite. He's articulate."

Most of the young Bulls remember the players in the Hall only as NFL personalities. It shocked defensive end Patrick Hampton to see arguably the greatest receiver of all time wearing college threads.

"Jerry Rice in college, it's weird," Hampton said. "I dunno. It's crazy."

A Bull was represented in the Hall as well.

Former USF defensive end George Selvie's jersey was showcased in glass at the entrance and Young made sure he snapped a picture of it before the team's phenomenal field trip came to a close.

http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=37319&SPID=2981&ATCLID=205265747&DB_OEM_ID=7700

This is supposedly the video, but it hasn't loaded yet for me.

http://www.gousfbulls.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?SPSID=37319&SPID=2981&DB_OEM_ID=7700&id=796022&db_oem_id=7700

[wert_the_gwert]

Great article.

[wert_the_gwert]

And thanks for keeping tabs on the internet for me Mama.  I'd miss everything without you.

[GaUSFBull]

Good stuff.  Sounds like the players are staying loose.  Definitely want them that way tomorrow afternoon. 

[Mama_Bull]

The video is working at the link below. NICE!

http://www.bullsmultimedia.com/

[Mama_Bull]

Actually, there are two videos there. One with USF players at the ND stadium and the other at the Hall of Fame.